Why do we need so much stuff? What would happen if we simply stopped acquiring so many things and made the decision to live with less? Would we be happier or feel like we were missing something in our lives?

Let me just say - I'm far from a minimalist. As a matter of fact, I'm the typical American consumer. I shop for deals and buy things that I really don't need, because you can't beat the price and whatever it is may be useful in some way. The concept of being happier by owning less really sounds appealing in more ways than one - less clutter, debt, and stress - sign me up! It's just hard for me to change my ways - habits are hard to break. However, after reading more about minimalism it makes me want to take a step towards living with less clutter. That doesn't mean I'm willing to give up all of my belongings and live with 100 items or less, but I'm pretty sure I can at least let go of things that I truly don't need or serve absolutely no purpose.

If you didn't already know, minimalism is really popular right now with millennials. There's even a popular TedTalk and Netflix documentary on the topic:

"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo ; translated from Japanese by Cathy Hirano

This #1 New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing.

Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo’s clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).

"Make Space: A Minimalist's Guide to the Good and the Extraordinary" by Regina Wong

We simply have too much stuff in our lives. Burdened by our heavy consumerist culture to continually own and consume without purpose, we lose ourselves to debt, dissatisfaction, and despair. If having more, doing more, and being more does not allow us to live abundantly, what can? Minimalism can make all the difference.

A minimalist life removes non-essentials and clutter, whether it's physical clutter in your home or a cluttered mental state that holds you back from your goals, and makes space for only the most important things that truly add value and joy.

Make Space offers you the tools to achieve this transformative mindset shift by marrying minimalist philosophy and principles with practical tips, activities, and action points that will unlock truly simple living.

"Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism" by Fumio Sasaki; translated by Eriko Sugita

Fumio Sasaki is not an enlightened minimalism expert or organizing guru like Marie Kondo―he’s just a regular guy who was stressed out and constantly comparing himself to others, until one day he decided to change his life by saying goodbye to everything he didn’t absolutely need. The effects were remarkable: Sasaki gained true freedom, new focus, and a real sense of gratitude for everything around him.

In Goodbye, Things Sasaki modestly shares his personal minimalist experience, offering specific tips on the minimizing process and revealing how the new minimalist movement can not only transform your space but truly enrich your life. The benefits of a minimalist life can be realized by anyone, and Sasaki’s humble vision of true happiness will open your eyes to minimalism’s potential.

"The More of Less: Finding the Life you Want Under Everything You Own" by Joshua Becker

Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning and managing and organizing. While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our God-given passions to things that can never fulfill. And it distracts us from the very life we wish we were living. But it doesn't have to be this way.

In The More of Less, Joshua Becker, helps you recognize the life-giving benefits of owning less, realize how all the stuff you own is keeping you from pursuing your dreams, craft a personal, practical approach to decluttering your home and life experience, the joys of generosity. Learn why the best part of minimalism isn't a clean house, it's a full life. The beauty of minimalism isn't in what it takes away. It's in what it gives.

"The Simple Living Handbook: Discover the Joy of a De-cluttered Life" by Lorilee Lippincott

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About The Author

April is a Librarian who has worked for TLCPL for over 20 years. She is also the Story Matters Blog Editor. April enjoys reading children's books, humor, mysteries, poetry and blogs. She's also a classic film buff with a special appreciation for Film Noir. Her current playlist includes singer/songwriter, electronic, pop, rock, blues and folk selections.